Govt: Sustainability is key

Ministers pressed to emphasise the importance of sustainability as the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) comes into force today.

The RTFO requires 2.5 per cent of all fuel supplied in Britain to come from biofuels but has come under attack from campaign groups fearing it will have a negative impact on climate change.

Transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick says the government takes widespread concerns about biofuels "very seriously".

Interim sustainability reports will be required until mandatory standards are introduced in the near future, he added.

Environment minister Phil Woolas added: "Obviously sustainability needs to be at the heart of all biofuel production and it will remain at the forefront of all policy development in this area.

"We must be able to produce biofuel without causing a negative impact on our natural environment."